As interest in the iPhone 17 lineup cools, attention has shifted to Apple’s next-generation smartphones. Recent reports suggested that the iPhone 18 Pro models would introduce a punch-hole camera cutout positioned at the top left of the display. However, new information strongly disputes that claim.
Renders showing a punch-hole design surfaced in a YouTube video by Front Page Tech. However, the visuals were later challenged by Chinese tipster Instant Digital, cited via @LeakerApple. The tipster described the punch-hole camera report as “complete misinformation.”
According to new leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro will not feature a punch-hole design. Instead, the device is expected to feature a centrally positioned, pill-shaped cutout. This clarification reportedly corrects earlier reports that arose from translation errors in Asian media coverage.
iPhone 18 Pro is launching in September 2026 and here is EVERYTHING new:
– 2nm A20 Pro chip
– Variable aperture main camera
– Under-display FaceID with smaller Dynamic Island
– Apple C2 modem (RIP Qualcomm)
– 5G via satellite
– Tweaked Camera Control without pressure sensitivity… pic.twitter.com/tOpRO641Wt
— AppleLeaker (@LeakerApple) January 17, 2026The original speculation claimed Apple planned to place an infrared flood illuminator beneath the display in the top-left corner, with nearby Face ID sensors. However, the misunderstanding appears to have stemmed from an English-language social media post. This post misread Chinese and Korean reports discussing the relocation of internal components.
The tipster stressed that Apple may introduce an under-display infrared flood illuminator. Meanwhile, they may keep key Face ID elements, including the dot projector and front-facing camera, centrally aligned. As a result, this setup would allow Apple to reduce the size of the display cutout. However, the cutout would not be eliminated entirely.
Dynamic Island will be 4 years old this year (already!) 😳
One of the smartest moves by Apple. They turned an eyesore into a feature — and it worked so well.
I’m eager to see how it works with the iPhone 18 Pro and under-display Face ID. pic.twitter.com/uWNDlPwZLW
— Adan (@durreadan01) January 19, 2026Rather than switching to a punch-hole camera, the iPhone 18 Pro is now expected to retain a smaller version of the Dynamic Island seen in recent models. This view gained further support after display analyst Ross Young, formerly of Counterpoint Research, backed similar claims.
Expected launch timeline
Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its annual September event in 2026. The models are rumoured to include advanced features such as satellite-based 5G connectivity. Additionally, they may have a variable aperture system for the rear cameras. This would reinforce Apple’s focus on premium hardware innovation rather than radical design changes.
